Is your swimming pool safe enough?

Owning your own swimming pool is like a dream come true for many people. This pool ownership, though, brings with it a lot of responsibility — from keeping it clean and the water clean, clear and free of bacteria to keeping everyone who swims in it safe from harm. Is your swimming pool safe enough? That’s a question you should ask yourself and talk with your pool contractor about.

When you have your own pool you have a great place to escape from the summer heat and make memories with friends and family. We know you will be spending more time out of doors this summer in your swimming pool than you will in the house — we have some tips to make your pool the “safest room in the house”!

Is your swimming pool safe enough?

Children should never be left alone in the pool. When children are in the water, there should be an adult within arm’s reach of them.

Adults shouldn’t swim alone.

Babysitters should keep the pool off limits when you’re away. The babysitter should also assure the children cannot, and are not, anywhere near the pool.

Fencing around the pool is probably the law where you live. Comply with it! Completely fence the pool. Install self-closing and self-latching gates. Make certain children cannot climb the gate or unlock it. All doors and windows that lead to the pool area should be securely closed, consider alarming doors and the pool gate. Fencing and alarms are ideal preventive safety measures, but there is no substitute for supervision.

Just because your child has taken swimming lessons doesn’t mean he or she can be left alone in the pool.

Floatation devices are no substitute for supervision. Even if a child can swim, he may be better served wearing a life vest. Water wings shouldn’t be considered lifesaving devices as they can easily slip off.

Never use a pool with its pool cover partially in place; a child could become trapped under it.

Pick up all pool toys when you’re not in the pool. Remove all water toys from the pool and store them in a location outside of the pool area – a ball floating in the water could tempt a child to try and reach for it.

Riding toys should be kept away from the deck area.

Use safety, locking and/or fold up steps on an above ground pool.

Install a fence with an above ground pool as well.

Add pool alarms — to the fence, floating pool alarms that will sound if the water’s surface is broken.

Learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).

Keep a lifejacket, a kickboard and a long hook you extend to a swimmer in distress.

Swimming pools are great fun, but keep everyone safe by being diligent and following local rules and regulations on pool safety equipment.